Dozens Of Foreign Workers Trafficked At GA Plant Freed In Raid: FBI

BARTOW COUNTY, GA — A massive labor trafficking investigation is ongoing at Wellmade Industries with federal authorities accusing the Cartersville manufacturer of misleading immigrants to work.

The FBI Atlanta on Wednesday said local authorities, Homeland Security and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation have joined the probe to execute federal search warrants at Wellmade and several Bartow County homes.

"This is an active, ongoing labor trafficking investigation alleging Wellmade Industries is using fraud and coercion to induce Chinese nationals and other immigrants to work," the FBI said in a Facebook post.

The FBI said there could be dozens of potential workers who have been exploited. Twenty linguists and a victim specialist have been tapped to help with the workers, the FBI said.

Authorities advised although there is an increase law-enforcement in and around Cartersville, there is no threat to public safety.

"The FBI is committed to working with our law enforcement partners and investigating allegations of human trafficking and to break the cycle of force, fraud or coercion that binds victims to their traffickers. To be successful, we need your help," the FBI said.

Tipsters can visit the FBI's online tip site or call the HSI tip line, (877) 444-7847.

According to its website, Wellmade is a floor manufacturing company with sales offices and warehousing in Portland, Oregon. The Cartersville location is the business' 328,000-square-foot manufacturing facility.

Patch has asked Wellmade Industries for comment and will update when we receive a response.